The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) on Tuesday approved eight development projects involving an estimated cost of Tk 2,266.41 crore.

The approval came at an ECNEC meeting chaired by Prime Minister and ECNEC Chairperson Tarique Rahman at the Cabinet Division of Secretariat.

Of the total project cost, the government will provide Tk 2,229.13 crore while implementing agencies will contribute Tk 37.28 crore from their own funds.

Among the approved projects, three are new and three revised while two projects granted time extensions.

Briefing reporters after the meeting, Planning Ministry officials said the approved projects cover the sectors of water resources, transport infrastructure, public administration, health, education and power.

Among the major projects approved was the first-phase maintenance and rehabilitation of the Barishal Irrigation Project under the Ministry of Water Resources.

The meeting also cleared a project to upgrade the Anwara-Banshkhali-Toitong-Pekua-Badarkhali-Chakaria (Idmani) regional highway to the required standard and width.

A project for installing lifts at circuit houses and deputy commissioners’ offices in 33 districts, including Thakurgaon, was also approved.

In the health sector, ECNEC approved the second phase of the Bangladesh Shishu Hospital and Institute Expansion Project.

The committee also approved the first revised project for the expansion of existing grid substations and transmission lines under the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources.

Other approved schemes include the second phase of the Cancer Centre construction project at CMH Dhaka, the third revision of the Madrasa Education Management and Information System (MEMIS) Support Project, and the third revision of a project to establish multimedia classrooms in 653 madrasas across the country.

During the meeting, ECNEC was also informed about six projects costing less than Tk 50 crore each that had already been approved by the Planning Minister.

These include revised projects on water supply and sanitation services in 30 municipalities, waste management and mechanised parking facilities in areas under Dhaka South City Corporation, expansion of postal services, infrastructure development of the MES Training Cell at Dhaka Cantonment, the second phase of a child marriage prevention initiative, and the revised Paikgachha Agricultural College establishment project in Khulna.

Several ministers and senior government officials attended the meeting.